Yuqi Yu Sues Schedule A Sellers Over a Shoe Design Patent.

The case

The case is Yuqi Yu v. The Individuals, Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships, and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A, No. 1:26-cv-12835 (N.D. Ill.), filed October 19, 2026 in the Eastern Division. The complaint describes Yu as an individual residing in the People's Republic of China and the owner by assignment of all right, title and interest in the patent, including the right to sue for past damages. It pleads subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a) and (b), venue under 28 U.S.C. 1391, and personal jurisdiction based on the defendants' alleged targeting of U.S. and Illinois consumers through interactive e-commerce stores, with Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(k)(2) as an alternative. The complaint demands a jury trial.

The design patent

U.S. Design Patent No. D1,135,336, titled "Shoe," issued July 21, 2026. The complaint says the patent is directed toward an ornamental design for a shoe and that, as Fig. 1 shows, the claimed design includes a dial on the shoe's tongue, lace anchors on the top surface, a rear heel loop, and ornamental bumps and ridges on the shoe's side and sole. It alleges that the patent does not claim colors and is not limited to a particular size of shoe. The patent is attached to the complaint as Exhibit 1.

The accused products and Schedule A

The complaint alleges that the defendants, which it says are believed to reside in the People's Republic of China, operate interactive stores on Amazon, Temu, Shein and TikTok that sell shoes incorporating the claimed design, and that the color and size variations they offer are the same product for infringement purposes. It says Schedule A lists each defendant's seller ID and known product IDs. Pointing to shared business names and nearly identical addresses in seller profiles, the complaint alleges that a single entity or, at most, a small group of related entities appears to operate or control the accounts.

The claim chart and the count

The complaint's claim chart compares figures of the patent with photographs from a test purchase of an accused shoe from one defendant's Amazon listing. It alleges that the accused design, viewed as a whole, is substantially the same as the claimed design "such that an ordinary observer familiar with the relevant prior art would be deceived into believing that the accused design is the patented design." Count I pleads design patent infringement under 35 U.S.C. 271 by making, using, importing, selling and offering to sell the accused shoes, and claims the defendants' total profits under 35 U.S.C. 289, but not less than $250. The complaint alleges, on information and belief, that the infringement is willful.

Relief requested

Yu asks for temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctions; an order that, on Yu's request, those with notice of the injunction, including online marketplaces such as Amazon, TikTok, Shein and Temu, disable and cease displaying advertisements associated with the defendants in connection with the sale of infringing goods; damages of no less than a reasonable royalty under 35 U.S.C. 284, trebled for willful infringement; a finding that the case is exceptional under 35 U.S.C. 285; the defendants' total profits under 35 U.S.C. 289; and attorneys' fees and costs.

What to watch next

Watch for a motion for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, a request to serve the defendants by alternative means, and any order directed to the marketplaces. The case can end at any time, including by settlement or voluntary dismissal.